NFL Players Association urging the League to switch all fields to grass

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is now pressing the league to switch all its fields to natural grass, calling it the easiest decision the NFL can make.”

The call comes less than 48 hours after a season-ending injury to four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his left achilles tendon in his debut with the New York Jets on Monday night.

ESPN analyst Stephen a Smith sat down with NFL commissioner Roger Godell who says the players’ preference on which surface will be used going forward must also be backed up by science. 

Roger Goodell is weighing in on the calls for the NFL to switch all fields to natural grass surfaces.

Over the last few years, calls for the league to rid themselves of artificial turf have grown. That’s been exacerbated by injuries to high-profile players, such as Rodgers , who suffered an Achilles injury that’ll keep him out for the season during his first drive with the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

While Goodell is hearing the concern from players, fans and media members alike, the NFL Commissioner explained his point of view on the matter during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday.

“You have other players who like playing on the turf field, because it’s faster. So you’ve got mixed opinions,” Goodell said, via First Take. “What we want to go on is science, we want to go on what’s the best from an injury standpoint.”

While there’s been some gnarly injuries on artificial turf, Goodell isn’t trusting the eye test completely, and stated that the NFL will trust the science on the matter.

“That’s how we make decisions, not because I see an injury that I don’t like,” Goodell added. “Ultimately, I want our experts to come back and give it to us.”

Continuing, the loudest voice pushing for a change to natural grass fields is NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell. Prior to Goodell’s television appearance on Wednesday, Howell released an emphatic statement, believing natural grass fields are “worth the investment.”

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell issued a statement today saying NFL players “overwhelmingly prefer it and the data is clear that grass is simply safer than artificial turf.

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